Sinn Féin defends tribute to hunger striker who was convicted of manslaughter

Thomas McElwee died 40 years ago after 62 days on hunger strike. He was convicted of the manslaughter of 26-year-old Yvonne Dunlop

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 'Commemorating has a number of purposes, it does offer, obviously, consolation and support for families where they are still alive. It allows us to reflect on the past and not necessarily in a triumphant way but to consider all of the different contexts and narratives that are there.'  File picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

A Sinn Féin TD has defended the party's tribute to an IRA hunger striker who was convicted of the manslaughter of a woman.

Thomas McElwee died 40 years ago after 62 days on hunger strike, having been arrested when a bomb he was transporting exploded. He was later convicted of the murder of 26-year-old shop owner Yvonne Dunlop, who was burned alive when her shop was firebombed. Mr McElwee's conviction was later downgraded to manslaughter.